In the year 2026, the 150th anniversary of the founding of MTNA, WSMTA is proud to honor not one but two foundation fellows. The two wonderful individuals, chosen by the board of directors for this honor, are Karen Hollenback and Kathy Mortensen.
Each of these nominees is a former president of WSMTA. We are fortunate that they served their presidency at just the right time, when their skills were perfectly fitted for the task.
When Covid hit, we needed a sure and levelheaded leader to guide us. Karen Hollenback was that steady hand. She kept us on the right path at this most difficult time. However, because of pandemic restrictions, she missed out on many of the most fun aspects of the presidency, the social interaction that circumstances denied us. We hope this award will in part make up for that.
Kathy Mortensen provided perfect, wise leadership during her time as president. However, she is also an incredible repository of knowledge – someone most familiar with the past history of WSMTA. Her invaluable awareness of what has gone before has, on many times, prevented us from having to reinvent the wheel. This award is to recognize her for the glorious resource that she continues to be.
Karen’s bio and photograph appear at the end of this article. Kathy’s appeared in the last issue of the Clarion. I encourage you to make contributions in their honor now. They are incredible, worthy individuals, and WSMTA is thrilled to honor them.
To contribute in support of Kathy and/or Karen, click on this link:
At the bottom of the form, there is a list of funds and endowments. Make sure to scroll past that list to the box marked ‘Fellow,’ and to write Kathy or Karen’s name in that box. That way, the gift will go towards her fellowship fund. You have to do this in order for her to receive credit.
Karen Hollenback NCTM, is an active member of MTNA at the national, state and local levels. Her local association was named Washington State Chapter of the Year in 2011 during her term as chapter president.
Following six years as Washington State’s Certification Chair Karen served on the MTNA National Certification Commission in 2015. She was elected to the WSMTA Board of Directors in 2015 as Vice President, and was President-Elect in 2017. As WSMTA’s president in 2019-2021, Karen led WSMTA in successfully navigating the Covid pandemic.
Karen is currently completing her final year on the WSMTA Education Board.